Celebrating 100th anniversary of CPC | Vocational training assists Ghana in pursuit of green development

Editor's Note: To celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) this July, China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) has selected 100 representative stories of the country's foreign aid to support the development of other developing nations over the past years. This episode tells the stories of 100 young Ghanaian people who attended a training session in bamboo processing sponsored by China in October 2018.

A group of young Ghanaian people attend a training session of bamboo processing skills sponsored by China in Kumasi, the second largest city of the western African country, in October 2018. [Photo/cidca.gov.cn]

One hundred bambooware makers from seven regions in Ghana gathered in Kumasi, the second largest city of the western African country, in October 2018 to attend a 30-day training session in bamboo processing.

The training session was the first concrete program affiliated with China's foreign aid implemented in Ghana since two countries established diplomatic ties six decades ago.

As the headquarters of the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) Western African Office, Ghana has been a pioneer in the development of the bamboo and rattan industry on the African continent.

Under the guidance of Chinese bamboo craftsmen, Ghanaian trainees successfully incorporated traditional cultural symbols and patterns of the Ashanti region into their final products, which included 150 items of bamboo and rattan-made furniture in 15 categories, during the training session.

The Ghanaian attendees aspired to further revitalize their country's bamboo and rattan industry and transform it into a lucrative business through learning China's advanced technology and experience in the sector. In addition, they pledged to impart their learning to more people in the future.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, a senior official with the Ghanaian Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources said that supported by China, Ghana will devote more efforts to developing its bamboo and rattan industry and see to it that the next generation will have sufficient and high-quality forestry resources.

Stephen Owusu, president of the Ghana Bamboo and Rattan Industry Association, stressed that the training session will bring fundamental changes to the industry in his country and assist local young aspirants in landing suitable jobs.